(1)

Purpose. The purpose of wireless communication facility design objectives and standards is to implement the purpose and objectives of TDC 73A.010 by focusing on the placement, design and relationship of proposed site elements such as support structure location, lighting, screening, fencing and landscaping.

(2)

Objectives. All wireless communication facilities and attached facilities should strive to meet the following objectives to the maximum extent practicable. Architects and developers should consider these elements in designing new development. In the case of conflicts between objectives, the proposal must provide a desirable balance between the objectives. Site elements must be placed and designed, to the maximum extent practicable, to: Be aesthetically and architecturally designed and located to be compatible with the surrounding environment and analyze co-location before seeking new sites.

(a)

Select colors in consideration of lighting conditions and the context under which the structure is viewed, the ability of the material to absorb, reflect or transmit light and the color's functional role, e.g., aesthetic reasons.

(b)

Select platform and antenna designs which minimize their size and visual appearance to surrounding development.

(c)

Provide a composition of structural material elements which is cohesive and responds to use needs, site context, land form, a sense of place and identity, safety, and climatic factors.

(d)

Select materials which contribute to the project's form and function, as well as to the surrounding environment.

(e)

Minimize disruption of natural site features such as topography, trees, and water features.

(f)

Take into consideration the existing topography of the site and surrounding vicinity.

(g)

Reduce the visual impact of the support structure by locating within stands of existing vegetation and trees.

(h)

Screen elements such as mechanical and electrical equipment from view.

(i)

Locate a wireless communication facility attached to existing rooftop mechanical equipment before placement on the exterior wall of a building.

(j)

Co-locate wireless communication facility or attached facility.

(k)

Construct wireless communication support structures at the minimum height necessary to serve the operational requirements of the system.

(l)

Separate wireless communication support structures from each other.

The maximum height for a wireless communication facilities, support structures, and antennas is as follows:

(Ord. No. 1422-19, § 2, 7-8-19)

(1)

All Wireless Communication Facilities must comply with the following minimum design standards:

(a)

A wireless communication facility attached must not be attached to buildings which are designed solely for single family residential use;

(b)

Mechanical and electrical equipment and the bottom six feet of the support structure for a wireless communication facility must be screened from the public right-of-way and abutting property by the use of a minimum six foot tall security fence or wall consisting of chain link fencing with vinyl slats, solid wood fencing, concrete masonry unit block, or brick;

(c)

Equipment shelters, buildings or cabinets to house radio electronics equipment must be concealed, camouflaged, screened by vegetative, or placed underground.

(d)

A wireless communication facility must utilize existing site conditions such as surrounding vegetation and trees;

(e)

A wireless communication facility support structure must be constructed to the minimum height necessary to serve the operational requirements of the facility;

(f)

A wireless communication facility must be designed to allow co-location of facilities;

(g)

Wireless communication support structure towers must be used in all zones, except when co-locating on an existing structure.

(h)

Antennas and platforms must be designed to minimize their size and appearance to surrounding development;

(i)

Obsolete or unused wireless communication support structures and associated equipment and antennas must be removed within 12 months of cessation of operations at a site;

(j)

No new wireless communication support structure is permitted unless the applicant submits a co-location report showing whether or not any existing tower or support structure within one-half mile of the proposed site can accommodate the applicant's proposed antennae. The report must address the following:

(i)

Do existing towers or support structures, or approved but not yet constructed towers or support structures, located within the geographic area meet the applicant engineering requirements;

(ii)

Are existing towers or support structures of sufficient height to meet the applicant's engineering requirements;

(iii)

Do existing towers or support structures have sufficient structural strength to support the applicants proposed antennae and related equipment;

(iv)

Would the applicant's proposed antennae cause electromagnetic interference with the antennae on the existing tower or support structure, or would existing antennae cause interference with the applicant's proposed antennae; and

(v)

Are there other limiting factors that render existing towers and support structures unsuitable or unavailable.

(k)

The minimum distance between wireless communication support structure tower is 1,500 feet. Separation must be measured by following a straight line from one wireless communication support structure tower to the next. For purposes of this section, a wireless communication support structure tower includes wireless communication support structure tower for which the City has issued a development permit, or for which an application has been filed and not denied.

(2)

In addition to complying with subsection (1), all Wireless Communication Facilities Attached must comply with the following:

(a)

Wireless communication facility attached antennas must use existing rooftop mechanical equipment, and only if not practicable be placed on the exterior wall of a building; and

(b)

Wireless communication facility attached antennas must be painted to match the color of the mechanical screen wall or building to which it is attached.

Setbacks for all Wireless Communication Facilities are determined through the Architectural Review process, and must be consistent with the following:

(1)

The minimum setback must be five feet, except as otherwise specified in (2), below;

(2)

The minimum setback from an RL zone or from an RML zone with an approved small lot subdivision must be determined as follows:

(a)

The setback must be no less than 175 feet for a monopole that is no more than 35 feet in height;

(b)

The setback must increase five feet for each one foot increase in height up to 80 feet in height; and

(c)

The setback must increase ten feet for each one foot increase in height above 80 feet.

(3)

In making a determination of compliance with the setback requirements, the City Manager must consider the following factors:

(a)

If the abutting property is in the Low Density Residential (RL) Zone or in the Medium-Low Density Residential (RML) Zone with an approved small lot subdivision, and if natural vegetation, such as evergreen trees, does not exist to act as a screen, then a greater setback than the minimum required may be appropriate. If such natural vegetation exists, then the minimum required setback may be appropriate;

(b)

If the abutting property is in the Low Density Residential (RL) Zone or in the Medium-Low Density Residential (RML) Zone with an approved small lot subdivision, and it is vacant or its use is a single family dwelling, then a greater setback than the minimum required may be appropriate. If the use is not a single family dwelling, then the minimum required setback may be appropriate; and

(c)

If the abutting property is in the Low Residential Density (RL) Zone or in the Medium-Low Density Residential (RML) Zone with an approved small lot subdivision, and it is vacant or its use is a single family dwelling and it is at a lower elevation than the subject property, then a greater setback than the minimum required may be appropriate.

Variances to the provisions of this Chapter are as provided in TDC 33.120.